BEST GREEK SCULPTURE
For analysis of a major work,
see: Venus de Milo (c.130-100 BCE).

Callimachus (Active 432-408 BCE)

The ancient Greek architect and sculptor
Callimachus was active during the High Classical Period of Greek
sculpture. According to a later account of Pausanias, although
Callimachus was not one of the greatest sculptors
of his era like Polykleitos (5th
century BCE), Myron (480-444) or Phidias
(488-431), he was considered to be an exceptionally clever and innovative
artist. It is also said that he was nicknamed "catatexitechnus"
- often simply translated as "the perfectionist" although a
better rendering is " one who spoils his art by over-elaboration".

Biography

Little is known of Callimachus' origins,
early life or how he learned the art of sculpture.
He is recorded as an architect and sculptor in the late 5th-century BCE,
according to the tradition set by Polykleitos. Sculptures from both Corinth
and Athens are attributed to him, making it likely that he was born in
one of these cities.

BEST WORKS OF SCULPTURE
For a list of the world's top 100
3-D artworks, by the best sculptors
in the history of art, see:Greatest Sculptures Ever.

His sculpting ability is not known from
any surviving originals or in any certain copies, but references to his
works in ancient writings has led to a number of sculptures being attributed
to him. To begin with he is credited with the Nikes on the frieze of the
Temple of Athena Nike on the Athens Acropolis. Pliny the Elder
(23-79 CE) refers to his Lacedemonian dancers and a statue
of the seated Hera made for the Heraion of Plataea. In addition,
six Maenads (ecstatic females possessed by a divine spirit) attributed
to him exist in Roman copies. The close-fitting drapery featured in these
Maenads has led to other works being credited to him.

What characterises Callimachus more than
anything else is his painstaking attention to detail, hence the soubriquet
"catatexitechnus". Reportedly, he was the first to use a drill
for shaping marble sculpture, and to enhance
the effects of light and shade in the hair, foliage and other features
of his sculpture, and to assist in the fine detail he sought. Knowledgable
about the history of sculpture
in ancient Greece, he modelled his work on the tradition of the old masters
and pioneered the Archaic style.

Callimachus As Architect

Callimachus also has a place in the history
of architecture. He is considered the inventor of the Corinthian
capital, the third of the classical orders of Greek
architecture. According to a story recounted by the Roman architect
Vitruvius (c.78-10 BCE), Callimachus
got the idea while looking at the acanthus blossom wrapped around a basket
which had been placed on a child's tomb. Since the first known Corinthian
capital dates from around 425 BCE, when Callimachus was most active, the
story could easily be true.